How to Lose Weight with Dance Dance Revolution

You went and bought DDR for the Wii, PS3, XBox, or PC and you are interested in losing weight - good stuff!

This hub is going to go over some expert tips and workout strategies that will help get you there. 

Here is what you can do to get started:

1. Gear

Choose a game that is compatible with the system you have.

Choose a dance mat that is compatible with the system you have.

2. Adequate Space

Find a place where you have enough room to move around. I would recommend a living room or den. You could set it up in your bedroom, but keep in mind you might bump into things. If you do set it up in your bedroom, pick up any loose items from the floor and keep the area around you neat and secure. This is to help prevent any accidents.

3. Time

If you are serious about making this a way for you to lose weight, you need to be able to set aside at least 45 minutes of active playtime per day. This is time you spend playing songs with your feet. Do this at two to three times a week.

4. Goals

How the game works is that you need to pass songs to beat the game. If you would like to learn more about how DDR works, please look at this hub. It goes over how to score and get better at DDR. If you are going through whole songs, you are getting in more exercise than you are if you do not complete a song. Keep trying! You will get how the game works with practice, so do not give up! If you keep getting better at the game, you will get in more excercise in a shorter period of time, which means it will help you lose weight faster.

5. Support

It's nice to know that someone has your back. So ask a friend, your family, or someone who likes DDR to help you out and play with you. I love helping people learn how to play this game, because I think it's really fun. I have made friends through it and there are whole communities dedicated to its use and common good.

I separate workouts done with Dance Dance Revolution into four segments:

Light Workout: Beginner (Level 1-4)

At this level, you move around at relaxed pace.  Occasionally, the game will require you to do a jump.

• What exercise matches it?  Taking a walk for 45 minutes.

Moderate Workout: Intermediate (Level 5-7)

At this level, you move around at an active pace.  There are jumps and occasional quick steps.  This is when you can feel the "fitness" gain from it.

• What exercise matches it?  Taking a jog for 45 minutes.

Need help at this level?  Take a look at this intermediate guide. 

Rigorous Workout: Advanced (Level 8-10)

At this level, you move at an very active pace.  Quick steps and jumps are common.  Balance and coordination are tested.  Your mind is also tested - because you have to learn complicated sequences while stepping at the same time.

• What exercise matches it?  Running for 45 minutes while learning a second language (at the same time).

Need help at this level?  Take a look at this advanced guide.

Intense Workout: (10+)

At this level, you move at an intense pace.  Speed, balance, and coordination are tested to their limit.  Your mind is also tested, because you have to translate the steps into movement as you go.

• What exercise matches it?  Sprinting full out for 45 minutes while learning a second language (at the same time).

This is the method that I swear by:

Let's say that the most difficult level you can do is level 6, this is what the builder method would look for you.

Song Set 1:

3, 4, 4

Song Set 2:

4, 4, 4

Song Set 3:

4, 5 (one you know you can pass), 5 (one you do not know)*

Song Set 4:

4, 5 (one you know you can pass), 5 (one you do not know / can't pass)

Song Set 5: 

5 (one you know you can pass), 5 (one you know you can pass), 6 (something you do not know or can not pass) 

This is what it would look like if you were playing five song sets with three songs per set.